AoO
Damage
The paladin takes a quick slash at the barbarian. [b]”Taste Radiance’s bite, demon![/dice]
Aelith brings their sword down onto the rising, demonic hulk, hoping to keep the raging man down as Momma's incorporeal claws do the same.
Ellena, Aelith, and Momma wounded the barbarian as he stood, but that did not deter the fiendish barbarian from attacking his attackers.
He roared something that likely would have reverberated throughout Wintersun Hall, if all sound were not canceled by the silence spell. He turned to face Ellena and punched her just below her throat. Even in his weakened state, the blow landed with devastating effect, cracking some bones and nearly knocking the breath out of her chest. Her scars flared with pain and she felt a surge of shame for reasons she could not understand.
Based on the description of Aravashnial, it would appear you have found Marhevok himself.
Aelith (ESO, FOM)
Momma
Ellena (BOF, SCC, MOG, bless)
Guillame (BOF, SCC, MOG, Bless, Heroism)
Anarya (Heroism, MCAE, VOH, Corruption resistance, light, FOM, silence, DF)
Marhevok (53 lethal, 16 non-lethal, -7 strength)
Ellena uses the Blessing of Fervor spell to gain an extra attack.
Attack
Damage plus
holy damage, if applicable.
Attack with BoF
Damage plus
holy, if applicable.
Iterative attack with smite evil
Damage plus
holy, if applicable.
Looking at Ellena's character sheet, her normal bonus for attacking with Radiance is +18 for the first attack. She has the +1 bonus from bless and +4 from smite evil. So I figure that would be +23 to the d20 roll. Marhevok is AC 20, so she hits with what was posted, but don't short-change her when fighting the enemy that will earn her a mythic level if defeated. Her iterative attack would be +13 + 1 + 4 = +18
As for damage, the smite evil adds 9 to each attack. So her damage roll would be 1d8 + 8 + 9. With the holy damage, the first attack does 29, the second does 32, and the third does 28 for a total of 89. He already had 53 lethal and 16 nonlethal, so he goes negative 4 although since some of that is non-lethal, he'll just go unconscious.
With her blade adding to Anarya's light, the room was bathed in light with no shadows (except Momma). In eerie silence, Radiance sliced deeply into Marhevok, powered not only by Ellena's martial prowess but by her pure spirit and love, fueled with extra energy from the suffering she endured so long ago--once, twice, and a third time. The bloody wounds overwhelmed him and he fell in a crumpled heap.
His fiendish spikes and ruddy skin returned to leave him a badly weakened human, near death but not yet killed.
Ellena felt relief, not only by the end of the battle and the defeat of all the enemies, but the phantom pain from her old scars seemed to evaporate, never to return. Some cosmic justice had been done and she felt a surge of power through her, like she felt when the wardstone exploded and again when aiding in the defeat of the mythic creatures at Dresen.
Baphomet with an inscription in Abyssal that reads “Jerribeth”. Additional info on the symbol available to anyone who can make a DC 30 spellcraft roll. Ellena feels strangely at ease while carrying it.
Gear on Barbarian consorts: +1 hide armor, heavy wooden shield, mwk battleaxe, mwk composite longbow (+4 Str) with 20 arrows x2.
Additional bonus upon returning to Dresen: 8000 gp paid out by Mendev's government for ending the raids.
Treasure in the pile next to the bed: The treasure is mostly unremarkable loot from numerous raids, and as a whole weighs several hundred pounds, but it’s worth 15 points of Goods for downtime activities back in Drezen. Among the treasure is an empty bag of holding (type II), overlooked by the barbarians so far.
The surviving Grunhuld-Wintersuns immediately surrender. They are eager to return to civilization and atone for their misdeeds while under the brutish man’s rule, and have in their hearts long since made peace with the idea that their family line is effectively dead.
The clan does not know anything specific about the other creature whose raids on caravans from Kenabres to Drezen the heroes were asked to stop. But they have repeatedly seen it flying overhead between the river and a feature of the Marchlands known as the Gray Road, which is actually a dry riverbed which used to flow toward the heart of the Worldwound. They suspect its lair is in one of the caves that line the gorge of the former river.
Eye-witness accounts of the wyrm's passing plus accounts from those who survived attacks on caravans suggests the beast is huge but quite possibly blind, although it has apparently developed other senses that help it locate prey and direct attacks.
There are, other then Mahrevok, about 10ish Barbarians or Bloodrager that you deem competent enough to give you trouble (levels 5-8), or be sizeable assets to the crusade if converted. You do not assess anyone to be a Skald, which is unusual of a tribe of this size.
20-30 of the tribes members are basically grunts (levels 1-4), and there are another 20-30 non combatants and children. Infant mortality is immense, as Mahrevok killed a Gozrehan priestess during one of his rages, and then slaughtered a Gorrumite warpriest who dueled him over this, leaving the tribe with no source of divine healing.
Do you see Mahrevok? How he is not yet internally bested? I bet he is praying each and every moment for salvation, either from Sevanna, a spell warrior and his concubine, or from the lady in Green, who is beautifull, utterly inhuman and the one who gave him such great strength. One of the warriors who surrendered speaks up as she is interviewed/interrogated.
I doubt Sevanna wants to save him, and I doubt she can on her own. While she could calm his rages, she always paid a price for it, and I mean getting hit hard enough it leaves scars. Once he nearly killed her after a group of crusaders her band captured managed to escape while in transit here.
The Barbarian pauses
The Lady in Green though, I dont know what she is, Sevanna once joked how she is "actually not a Succubus because she is something worse", it was not a joke she dared to say in Mahrevoks earshot. She looks at her bonds.
By our Lord in Iron, I did what I did, time to face the music. and marches onwards
The Barbarian woman expects to be burned at the stake after torture by the inquisition. She rues laying down her arms, as bravely dying in combat would grant easier access to Gorrums halls in Elysium.
You recall that the Grunhuld clan was hit hard by the inquisition witch hunters in the 3rd crusade. Expectations to be tortured and then burned are not unreasonable in this context.
The Grunhuld-Gundrun clan in particular. Far more influential then the Grunhuld-Wintersuns, they were one of the most powerful clans in old Sarkoris, and could muster over 6000 warriors at their prime. They had a reputation for unconventional tactics, striking from ambush, night attacks and deception in combat. After the disastrous attempt to relieve Raliscrad at the tail end of the second crusade, the leaders of the Grunhuld-Gundrun clan were accused of treason and consorting with demons, with many denouncing their strike leader, one Ragnar-Grunhuld-Gundrun, under severe questioning by the inquisition. Sentenced to be burned at the stake, demons spirited him and his closest followers away on the eve of his execution.
She is truthfull, and while she is genuine about doubting that the spell warrior known as Sevanna wants to save Mahrevok, the same is not true about the tribe as such.
You recall an oddity, one caravan guarded by extremely green rookies straight from the crusaders port reported to have been captured by the Kellids, but then managed to escape.
The slightly less green seargent leading them, believed that they were allowed to escape and immidiatly requested to be quarantined and his squad checked for possible diseases or possessions, but nothing came up.
Profession soldier
Ellena points out the strange fact that there was a caravan that was for some reason assigned to be guarded by a team of rookies that was taken by the Kellids but managed to escape. The sergeant leading them thought they might have been allowed to escape on purpose. They were checked thoroughly for magical enchantments and diseases but all came back normal.
Ellena had miraculously picked up a bit of the Kellid tongue after all her time spent in the Worldwound, and made a note to translate the general gist of the conversation when they were in private.
She tried to pay attention to the body language of the speakers as well.
Sense Motive
She tried to remember anything in the last that might shed light upon the discussion.
Know History with one mythic surge plus
Försiktigt, brinnande klingan som besegrade Mahrevok förstår vår tunga.
A wary bound warrior says as he looks at Ellena
Det kan betyda att hon är rimlig, och jag ser inte kedjorna från smärtbringarna på någon av dem.
A younger one answers
Jag har hört att insekterna har dödat Hellrun? Är det därför vi inte har torterats än?
A third one interjects, as one of the Paladins shares some of his trail rations with an about 5 year old child
"Förhöret" kommer att ske i deras bas, inte här ute i världssåret, och de kanske åtminstone skonar våra barn. Det blir ett bål för de av oss som har dödat dem. The wary one says, adding the second sentence as he sees the same scene.
Carefull, the burnblade who put down mahrevok understands our tounge.
Could mean she in reasonable, and I dont see the chains of the painbringers on any of them.
I have heard that the bugs have killed the Hellrun? Is this why we have not been tortured yet?
The "questioning" will be in their base, not out here in the worldwound, and they may at least spare our children. It will be the pyre for those of us who have killed theirs though.
Do they mean prelate Hulrun? He was chiefly responsible for the third crusade, and may well have a fearsome reputation among the Kellids. He died in the attack on Kenabres, and you have defeated his Vermlecked body at the grey garrison
Know. Nobility
”There won’t be any torture. I won’t allow that. Hulrun, if that’s who you mean, has been eliminated. I don’t know you feel about that, but it s the fact. We do intend on taking you out of here and questioning you fully, however. I can’t tell you how justice will be meted out, but rest assured, no harm will come to your children unless they take up arms against us, as their parents did. I promise you that,” Ellena says, with a nod at the prisoners.
Det säger hon: Det kommer inte att bli någon tortyr. Jag kommer inte att tillåta det. Hulrun, om det är honom du menar, har eliminerats. Jag vet inte vad du tycker om det, men det är fakta. Vi har dock för avsikt att ta dig härifrån och förhöra dig fullständigt. Jag kan inte säga hur rättvisan kommer att skipas, men ni kan vara säkra på att era barn inte kommer att skadas om de inte tar till vapen mot oss, som deras föräldrar gjorde. Det lovar jag er.
The younger warrior translates for her, quite accurately.
She says: There won’t be any torture. I won’t allow that. Hulrun, if that’s who you mean, has been eliminated. I don’t know you feel about that, but it s the fact. We do intend on taking you out of here and questioning you fully, however. I can’t tell you how justice will be meted out, but rest assured, no harm will come to your children unless they take up arms against us, as their parents did. I promise you that.
Tala inte med dem och hjälp dem inte! Annars får damen i grönt era själar efter att jag har flått era hudar!
Mahrevok snarls at the young barbarian
Do not speak or aid them! Or the Lady in green will have your souls after I flay your hides!
Something changes in the young warrior as he seems more enraged then intimidated at Mahrevoks commands. His eyes become pitch black and his hands turn into claws as he turns towards the cart Mahrevok is in and suddenly doubles in size. In contrast to Mahrevoks Bloodrage, he does not look completely bestial, but like a large attractive man, who just happens to have pitch black eyes and claws. The telltale signs of malnutrition disappear as he rages and his body changes, if the cultist had recruitment posters, he could well be on one.
Пошел ты на хуй, Махревок, и пошла на хуй твоя зеленая баба с сосками! Знаешь ли ты, почему ты в тюрьме? Не потому, что ты злой мудак, а потому, что ты злой некомпетентный мудак! Паладины пробыли там полдня, прежде чем их отряд добрался до тебя. Почему вы спали? Потому что тебя никто не предупредил. Почему никто не предупредил? Потому что ты, идиот, выкинул Севанну из окна, когда она за полдня до этого предупредила тебя о приближении паладинов. И что ты тогда сделал? Да, напился и лег спать, клоун-идиот! Плохо только то, что тебя уделали крестоносцы, а не Забытые, от которых мы получили бы больше пользы! a veritable stream of extremely rude rapid fire Abyssal emerges from his mouth, punctuated with a universal rude gesture. Which is when the warrior recognices his rage has broken the hemped rope he was bound with.
F*!% you Mahrevok and f+!& your nipplehanded green lady! Do you know why you are imprisoned? Not because you are an evil a$&%*$@ but because you are an evil incompetent a+++$$#! The Paladins were there for half a day before their hitsquad got you. Why were you asleep? Because nobody warned you. Why did nobody warn you? Because you f!!*ing idiot threw Sevanna out of the window when she warned you a half day before that Paladins were approaching. And what did you do then? Yeah, get drunk and go to sleep, idiot clown! The only bad thing is that the Crusaders did you in, and not the forsaken, from whom we would be getting a better deal!
Mahrevok is cowed by the outburst, sensing his hold over the warriors slipping away from him.
The young warrior looks around
He had no idea he could do that
and rather meekly holds out his hands to be bound again with a somewhat apologetic and midly confused expression.
Dyre i nöd igen, först en Succubus, nu en Paladin! Snart kommer du att bli tillfångatagen av Fey!
The wary warrior starts chuckling
Dyre in distress again, first a Succubus, now a Paladin! Before long, you will be captured by Fey!
Det är de hårt förvärvade resultaten av att bada mer än en gång i månaden Askold! The young warrior shoots back, but clearly in jest
Its the hard earned results arising from bathing more then once a month Askold!
Seems like Mahrevok being put in place eased certain tensions
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Sense motive
The paladin watched the two cultists engage in their demonic form of debate. She turns to the younger man and prepares to rebind his hands. ”You and I both know these ropes won’t hold if you surprisingly change form again. And I’m fine with that, but if you take an aggressive action toward any of our group, just know I’ll have no choice but to deal with you.”
”Seems as you didn’t really expect to do that, anyway, from what I observed,” she says quietly, while applying the rope to the man.
The young man called Dyre does not ping as evil, and you see a tatoo denoting fealty to Gorrum on his right biceps. You get a vibe that he is covering a lot of fear and anxiety with his banter, while beeing elated at telling Mahrevok were to stick it. You assess with some confidence that his short bloodrage caused him to be more flirtatious by a lot, probably assuming additional personality traits based on the demon type his bloodrage is patterned after.
The conversation with his chief was clearly insulting, and you can easily sense that the young man got the better of his clan chief. Presumably for the first time in his life.
You also noticed that the other elder warrior referred to him getting tied up by a Succubus, which points to the existence of a dangerous type of demon perhaps nearby.
Also, getting tied up by a Succubus and being alive is unusual, as you know firsthand how dangerous these demons are.
I am as a matter of fact utterly enthralled by your most captivating personality the young man replies while giving you a very unpracticed wink.
His pickup line to a mythic Paladin falls rather flat though I presume.
Sluta flirta med paladinen innan hon slår dig till nästa dimension, din idiot the elder wary warrior interrupts
Stop flirting with the Paladin before she smites you into the next dimension you idiot.
His Bludrage is patterned after a hjärtstealers, he fully raged it in for the first time, I dont think he can help himself but flirta!
The elder warrior addresses you in a broken but comprehensible mix of common and kellid not so subtly pleading.
Ellena couldn’t help but grin at the feeble attempt at flattery. ”it’s fine, youngster. There aren’t many compliments that get passed around out here in this accursed land. I generally prefer my significant others to be slightly less demonic, though,” she says, trying to be gentle with the lad.
”How did you lot fall into this situation? I can tell you aren’t a bad sort, Dyre. What happened?”
Youngster? I am nearly 12 and 7! I have been fighting for 5 years now! He says somewhat incredulous.
How we got into this situation? The chiefs word is law. Any thane can challenge the chief over his decisions, and prove his conviction with blood and steel in the circle of equals. Maref@~$ had both a blood claim on the chiefs seat, and he was the strongest, and he killed 3 of his brothers, even when all 3 of them fought him in succession during 3 duels under Gorrums and also that green ladies eyes. Some murmered the green lady did something to have him win but I do not know if this was the case.
To flee the tribe would be cowardice. And I have 2 little sisters, one 3 less then 12 and one 12 who have noone else to look for them. My mother died in childbirth, and my father, who was a fairly strong warrior, died from complications of biting... He pauses
It is hard to pronounce in common, Qlippoth? The first denizens of the Abyss before the demons? They are also in worldwound, sometimes. Dont bite them, they are very very poisonous. He adds, believing that Paladins regularly bite demonic adversaries.
Another tribe, the Forsaken occassionally operate in this areas. Be careful of them, while they are... His eyes darken
Well lead, expert night fighters, and like, they have uniform equipment, same training, fight as a unit. All things we dont, or no longer do.
he speaks with some sadness
They have well... better demon support then we do. They can basically call in a heartseeker champion, if they are either in trouble or want to take someone alive. They called, she teleported in, I was the only one of our group who fought off a strong compulsion to surrender to her. She smiled at me as if approving, bid her warriors to stop attacking me and "dueled" me on her own.
In about 6 seconds, she turned me from a reasonably skilled bloodrager ably wielding a greatsword into a disarmed, blindfolded and bound man, struggling feebly in her grip. I have never seen anyone move as quickly.
his eyes very vivid as he says this, it likely left a massive impression on him.
Doing all of these things in 6 seconds against a fairly competent adversary is a mythic feat, probably a combination of fleet charge, amazing initiative, quick dirty trick and greater grapple.
Close contact with a Succubus may have shaped his Abyssal Bloodrage to being Succubus like.
Profession solider
”Im sorry for all the trouble that has befallen your family and your tribe. Perhaps I can put in a word for the rest of you that Mahrevok was the root cause of all the evil,” she said quietly.
Then thinking about the rest of the tale, she couldn’t help but marvel. ”Ive faced quite a few demons, but there are always more out there for us to try and defeat. It gets exhausting…”
I think you faced heartseekers already, they are always female, very attractive, can get into you mind and drain with their touch. 2 wings.
The champion one is different, even more beautifull, I have heard she never changes her shape, and... friendly in a way? She had me fed while interrogating me. Words come out of him like a watefall almost
Why does he know this? Ellenas ordeal at the hands of a Succubus in Drezen is not common knowledge.
Like, they let me go? Did not torture or mistreat me, asked questions, Like, when was the green lady here the last time? How often does she come, with how many "servants"? How afraid is our farmstock of the servants she brings with her? When was the last time I had eaten, how many of our children reach 12 and 2 years of age? Why are we attacking crusaders without improving our defenses for the backlash? Who is our source in the crusaders?
He pauses
The last one I could not answer... I think we have a source, the last patrol we caught, they were so green they could piss grass, other then the seargent. No business being in the worldwound at all. They somehow all escaped during Sevannas watch. He speaks, remembering how odd this was
Most demons get aggressive when they dont get what they want, she just looked me in the eye and was "I see that you dont know", and then asked if I wanted to join them. I said no, speaking about my 2 little sisters. She just had me vow an oath to surrender as soon as possible to the Forsaken if I was forced to fight them again, and tell to whoever was to capture me that I am of interest to Belana the black feather. And told me it was good if I could convince others to surrender as well.
You suspect the young man was charmed and had his mind read, and that speaking truthfully likely saved his life.
He is clearly talking about a Succubus. It would make sense for one to be a grappler, to effective subdue enemies and bring their kisses to bear. This particular demoness seems odd though, Succubi can be very polite to those stronger to them, or those who are in a position of power over them, but to a prisoner who is within theirs? Incredibly rare.
Wisdom check
Ellena crooked her eye at the man. ”How did you know that I faced a heart seeker, as you call them? That isn’t something generally known in this area?”. She waited for an answer befor continuing.
The green Lady was recently here with her common company of 3 of her "elfes" and 2 heartseekers. One looking, our trying to look like your deity, and one clad in white with a wicked rapier. Some speeches about how the one who looks like your deity, and I think she actually thinks she is that, has already drained the mighty sunblade Paladin Ellena yada yada praise buggy boy and goat groomer. Their visits purpose was probably to enforce their command, it is known that Drezen fell and that you crusaders are mostly succeeding. THe young man offers
You dont seem very drained to me. The other one had incredibly cruel eyes and was dressed in white. I managed to stay away from her, she publically humiliated some of our warriors who werent Mahrevoks cronies, by besting them in duels.
The elderly warrior who was occassionally interjecting flares up in anger as he says that.
It would have been my end if any of them read my mind about my encounter with Belana. The youth finishes his tale
”Interesting. Those blasted demons are better organized than I would have thought. All of this information will be appreciated from my higher ups. I appreciate your candor and information.”
The forsaken are organized, the green lady herself is organized, we are not. Even though we would make more effective patsies for the green lady if we were. The old warrior interjects
This I never understood about the goatgroomers. The shadowsworn actually are truely backed by their Lady in Shadows, they have trade deals with the Abyss, can call in abyssal allies, they can get called in by their abyssal allies as mercenaries in turn, there is much demand for the latter, as the forsaken are great at defending, which few demons are fond off. He pauses
We meanwhile only get s+#@. The old warrior finishes, throwing a withering glare at Mahrevok.
Oh, if you fight the b!$@+ in white, "Kiandrah" is her name, she parries and dodges excellently, if you have a way to catch her flat footed, which I didnt, she will fall, or flee, but in a duel she is a dangerous foe. Dont focus too much on the rapier in her right, she often distracts with the rapier, and then does her vampiric touch with her left claw. The old warrior named Askold finishes, his bound hands tracing some fresh looking scars on his torso.
The older warrior seems tough as nails, and seems quite fatalistic.
He has a tatoo of a sun surrounde by lion jaws on his biceps, as well as an inscription in Abyssal reading
Я убил несущего боль и получил эту классную татуировку! P.S. На вкус они как курица.P.P.S. Буду драться за цыплят.
I killed a pain-bringer and got this cool tatoo! P.S. they taste like chicken.P.P.S. will fight for chickens.
The symbol of the Demon Lord Nurgal, Demon Lord of senseless violence, tactics, the sun and mercenaries.
Not a demonlord with much interest in the worldwound until now.
Which is good for Golarion as he is assessed to be more powerful then either Deskari or Baphomet.
Also not on particularly great terms with Deskari or Baphomet.
Was a god before he was defeated by Acavna, his larger half becoming the demon Lord Nurgal, his lesser half becoming a duke of hell name Nergal.
Nurgal is a curiously meritocratic demon lord, he cares little for what his followers are, as long as they fight well. Perhaps because he once was a god, and does not see demons as innately superior to mortals.
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The paladin turns to the rest of her group. [b]”Anyone able to make something out of that tattoo and whatever language surrounds it? I bet there’s a story to it, from what little I know about these tribes…”[/b{
It reads I killed a pain bringer and got this cool tatoo. P.S. they taste like Chickens. P.P.S. will kill for chickens. Dyre the young bloodrager says with a smile as he notices Ellena looking at Askolds, the older warriors, Tatoo.
I think you call Painbringers Incubi? Succubus but male, physically stronger and dumber?
He continues
I dont actually know what chicken tastes like. Reports are varied.
The older warrior says
Also, arent Paladins suppose to learn Abbyssal in Paladin School? Know your enemy and that? The old man continues
They have schools? I thought some angel shows up, does cheeky things with them and then they are Paladins? Young Dyre interjects
No Dyre you fool, they must defeat a foe, and then ceremoniously burn it alive to become a Paladin, just like a sacrfice! Nobody gets such power for free without making damning deals with powerfull entities beyond our mortal comprehension! The old warrior interjects quite vehemently
I would prefer doing cheeky things with an Angel! The younger warrior replies
We would all prefer if they get their powers from frolicking around with angels, rather then from setting us on fire! The old warriors states with a fair degree of conviction
Guillame waves off the paladin's question. "Trust me, nothing written in demon-tongue is worth reading. I've read enough of it to know."
Försiktigt, den här måste ha dödats i övergivenhet, för han bär två av deras boomsticks, och den korta versionen bärs bara av några av deras officerare i deras galtesiska kontigent! The elder Kellid says as he eyes Guillaume.
Carefull, this one must have killed forsaken, for he carries two of their boomsticks, and the short version is only carried by some of their officers of their Galtese contigent!
The gunslinger carefully draws a pistol, holding it by the barrel to give them a better look at the handle. It is a wooden handle, with custom ornate engravings. He responds in passable, if heavily accented, Kellid.
"You cause me harm to speak of me so lowly. My weapons are my tribe, built by the hand of an artist and won in conquest by my father. No army holds weapons like mine."
Intressant, de övergivna hävdar att de har sina källor både från Galt och från... antingen ett plan som kallas jord eller det elementära planet av jord.
Dina har förvisso fler ornament, de övergivnas ser likadana ut och har...
The Kellid speaks, happy to do so in Kellid rather then common, which he doesnt speak to well.
He struggles a bit with his bonds to paint something
De har cirklar på insidan, som en upprullad orm? Kanske är det religiöst, eller kanske får det projektilen att snurra när den kommer ut så att den orsakar större skador? He continues
Interesting, a forsaken said that they have some of their boomsticks from galt, and others from, either a plane called earth or the plane of earth.
Their had less ornaments, true and...
He struggles to paint something in the dirt
The insides of their boomstick had these circles, like a wound up snake? No idea if its religious, or maybe it so that the projectiles have a twist and cause greater wounds?
Två vapen är dock en liten stam. Vem håller vakt när du sover?
He asks in a more conversational tone
His question is not meant to be offensive, you are clearly not a crusader, nor a cultist, yet you and he may share some values in terms of martial proficiency and personel, albeit in his case broken, pride.
Two weapons are a small tribe though, who stands watch when you sleep?
Sense motive
Ellena moves to the gunsmith and whispered, ”Hes not meaning anything untoward a by his questions. Seems like he thinks you two might have a bit in common. I think he respects your weaponry. Wonder what else he knows,” the paladin whispers.
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Imbuing herself reflexively with a bit of divine guidance and manifesting knowledge of all tongues and all languages, Anarya speaks with the captives. She is kind, gentle, and forgiving to those she speaks with - and is quick to reassure the others that the Inquisition is a sin of the Crusade's past that will never be repeated.
She finds herself drawn to the man with the strange tattoo, curious - and discovers that she knows a great deal. The knowledge seems to come from nowhere - a memory from some source beyond herself.
As she speaks, her words sound to each listener like she speaks their tongue with the fluency of a native. "That symbol you bear," she says, looking at his tattoo, "is a thing of ancient days. Do you know of the one to whom it belongs? That is the mark of Nurgal - a demon who once reigned as a god. It is surprising to see his symbol here - the Lords of Locusts and the Labyrinth seek to claim this battlefield, and do not suffer rivals."
Anarya does not feel the need to mention that Nurgal was slain by none other than the god her father worshipped in the days when he was mortal.
Pfff, Kabriri, Nocticula, Nurgal, Koschtschie, Socothbenoth, Shifkesh a lot of the Abyssal lords have an interest in Golarion. As anyone with more then 2 brain cells can tell you, Golarion holds the Starstone, Rovagugs prison, and the prison of Mahr, 3 locations of extraplanar importance on a single plane, as if anyone of actual importance would just have the bug and the goat have their way with it. The elderly man laughs and betrays a pretty accurate understanding, one he would have a hard time getting as a random barbarian.
As to why I worship the Lion who eats the sun? I had pledged fealty to the Lord in Iron, like most of my kin. When our warpriest Sigvald challenged the Maref%$$er over leadership. I stood and spoke for Sigvald, and that green Lady asked what I pledged if Sigvald was defeated. I had pledged my faith in Gorrum as my bet, and thus to worship the Abyss should Sigvald be bested. The man pauses
Marevok alas won, somehow. And the green b@~%+ no doubt expected that I would pledge allegiance to Baphomet. I chose Nurgal instead, less of a difference to Gorrum, and seriously, Baphomet? I suck at lying so I dont do it. He grins
Besides, being slain and coming back stronger? To be cast into the Abyss, and simply part of it and to the Abyss with what any Demon thinks of that? Extracting from the demons to go away and kill other demons instead? trying to kill you and fail, ? Not changing your name? Bearing your scars with pride? Far more appealing then to revel in half-assed baphometan treachery, or to think so little of oneself as to wish for absorption into some swarm! Bah, cowards and weaklings each, unable to face their own actions bravely. His eyes light up for a moment as if awaiting a reply.
He does not get one from Marevok
I mean, I get why you like Nurgal, but honestly, killing 23 or so demon lords is more impressive then taking one unoccupied abyssal realm and shagging.... was it Areshkagal or Aldinach? I always mix up these two Dyre begins
Askold angrily interrupts
The abyssal super scorpion lady, meanwhile Nocticula Dyre continues
Boy, you just want to get laid by a Succubus and not die, which is a pretty relatable motivation. You need to learn how to play hard to get if this is ever to happen, look, why did the black feather bind and interrogate rather then kill you? Because you resisted her suggestion to surrender. Play Hard To Get! The elder Barbarian interjects, in an almost paternal way.
Dyre pauses, clearly hit by the retort because it is true.
He indeed sucks at lying
You can sense how he was converted from an opportunist into someone who genuinely respects and follows Nurgal. Your guess is that what was offered was always a bit better then what he expected. Of course, as a barbarian in Marevoks tribe, he expected incredibly little yet...
He likely was given actual knowledge of Golarions meaning, and you could see while an initially not demon like Nurgal conquering parts of the Abyss would be incredibly appealing to a Kellid of Sarkoris.
With your knowledge planes, you also know that Nurgal makes no difference between Demons and mortals in his service, as long as they can and are willing to fight. A meritocratic, in a way, approach that is quite distinct from Baphomets rule by whoever has information, let alone Deskaris demand of absorption into the swarm.
You could, narratively, make use of some of his diatribes against Baphomet and Deskari in your own efforts of conversion. Or to follow the principle of offering a bit more then your captives would expect.
Sense Motive
Ellena waited for the outbursts from the two “men” to be over before approaching Dyre. ”Doesn’t take a paladin to tell you don’t lie very often. And that’s respectable, at least to me. I still don’t see why you threw your lot in with that maniac, though,” she says quietly enough to not send the two into another raging argument.
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Anarya follows the man's speech patiently, both to ensure she can read his lips clearly and to pay him the attention his sincerity is due. While her skill at lip-reading allows her to evade many barriers to communication her deafness might otherwise bring upon her, her magic now made it nearly effortless. His lips moved, and she knew his meaning like he had written the words plainly upon a page. She again wordlessly calls upon the guidance of her magic as she speaks, and the spirit of heroism itself steadies her and strengthens her will and force of resolve.
"Strong faith, for a patron you earned only in defeat," she remarks. "And not blind faith either. You know more than some scholars might about the demon who now lays claim to your soul."
"For that is the curse of the demon-sworn, alas. A front-loaded bargain if any was ever struck - power in this realm yet servitude forever after. Though I do not doubt you know this already," she adds softly.
Anarya looks over at the other captives. "The others seem to respect you. I trust that you care for them." She turns back to look at him. "You do well to spurn Deskari and Baphomet - their cultists are no better than the vermin and beasts they emulate. And yet, no demon lord cares for those beneath them - even their most faithful devotee is as disposable as dirt."
"What do you hope for the others? Their safety? For them to seek glory?" she asks. "If it is only yourself you care for, then I am sure the Lord of Senseless War will sate you in this short life," she says, using Nurgal's favored epithet. "But if you want better things for those who look to you for leadership, following a demon will not aid you."
"The sons and daughters of Sarkoris have suffered enough at the hands of demons and their schemes. If you have valor in your heart, there may be a place for you to bring the fight to the heart of this corruption - should you wish it."
"I would show you the Crusade has changed, for that is the strength of mortals - to become better than we were."
For others, their protection, although I phrased it as the possibility for them to become strong when the bargain was struck.
He pauses
Nurgal bargains, at least with mercenary types like me. I am his employee not his slave, at least until I offer to become the latter.
He says, knowing for himself that the words for employee and slave in Abyssal are the same, and only differ based of intonation.
I cant exactly leave my kin, like my moonstruck nephew there He points at Dyre
alone under that f!~~er, and I cant kill him. So I have to stay an try to unf!$% what he f%@+s up. There are kind of limited employement opportunities for people with tatoos like me, and that one is magical and will come back if erased. I didnt try, but I know it would. He looks at his tatoo
Nurgal himself, I dedicated kills to him, he made me more powerful, he, or whatever is running me on his behalf, gives zero f*!+s what I kill as long as it is as powerful as me and fights back. He says, as if this is a great deal, which it may be if you look at the alternatives for him under Baphomet or Deskari
when I killed 3 paintasters in succession while shouting his name, the other tatoo arrived, and 9 people in the village who had demon pox or ghoul fever were healed of their diseases, all 9 of them dreamt of a mighty lion that ate their disease. He finishes
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Anarya smiles. All things considered, that was a good reaction from the man. "I can respect your devotion to your people. I think, in the end, you fight for them, and that is admirable in anyone. Just know that the offer stands - if you choose to walk another path, I would let no tattoo stand in your way. The same goes for your kin, and any others who choose to fight for those who cannot." She doesn't need to proselytize to this man further - her offer is made, and if she's to make a true impression on him, it will take time.
"What can you tell us of the Forsaken? I have no doubt we will face them eventually - and anything you can tell us may aid in our fight against them. Especially if they are backed by such demons as you describe."
Aelith listens in on the conversation, absently signing what parts of it they understand to Anarya until the demigoddess joins the conversation with the help of divine power. At the mention of Nurgal, Poppa mutters, "Which one was he? The Bug or the Goat?"
"That's Deskari and Baphomet," Aelith mutters back, following the exchange long enough to infer, "Nurgal is a lion apparently."
"Like your Tiger?"
"Jaidz isn't MY Tiger-" Aelith starts to say before Poppa lets out a laugh.
"Then who were all those cute doodles you drew on our cabin wh-"
"SHUSH, Poppa..." The young half-elf throws the flap of their pack up to obscure the hilt of their possessed sword.
"Hey, don't turn out the lights!"
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The Forsaken? They started as Ragnar and 24 Sarkoris Jaegers freed by the Lady in Shadows agents from the crusader's pyres, this was decades ago after the counterattack to relieving Raliscrad was a total disaster.
They now recruit from exiles around the world, even around the planes if some rumors are to be believed. They have a sizeable contingent from a place called Galt, and another one from a place called Irrisen. From what I know, both of these places are hard places, that exile people for many reasons, but such hard places breed hard warriors.
He begins
While they are mortal, I have personally seen that they can teleport, not just their champions but even their foot soldiers in a skirmish. It makes them incredibly mobile, and it is hard to even track them down, they only accept battle if they think it is in their favor. They are good scouts too. He continues
What I said so far is what I know to be true, what I say know is what I believe to be true. They literally follow the demonlord of secrets, and often cover secrets in propaganda, I can make no guarantees about accuracy. He interjects
The religious leader is Belana the Black feather, a champion Heartstealer, whom, as you may have noted, made quite an impression on young Dyre. She specializes in capturing enemies, both mentally because she treats captives suspiciously well, thus making her suggestions to surrender quite reasonable, and physically by grappling and restraining them, her dress is highly magical and wraps around and restrains whomever she is grappling. If she cant do this, she uses dirty tricks, disarms or steals. Like all forsaken, she has no issues retreating when battle seems unfavorable. He pauses
I heard boasts that she is on the so called "Nocticula diet" and only eats those whom she asesses as capable of resisting her, this, curiously enough, means that most people are relatively safe from getting their soul eaten by her. I would however guess that she would regard you as powerful enough to merit getting eaten. No idea if this "diet" is demon humor, but I have seen other heartseekers and I cannot deny that she is far more beautifull then the average one. I heard she hates these winged devils called Eryins? Erinyes? Something like that? And takes their black feathers for her collection, which is where her nickname comes from. A dangerous thing about her is that she is... reasonable. Especially for a demoness. You can identify her... hmmm, do you have a wand of silent image? I have seen her and can make an image of her. If you dont, she dresses very modestly for a heartstealer champion, she has 2 tails not one and her shoulders sport numerous black feathers as decorations. He finishes
Their leader Ragnar is a Bloodrager, his bloodline seems to be destined. He has received blessings from Nocticula herself I have heard, for leading his forsaken succesfully in her name on a plane called Abbadon, outthinking and outplaying the Daemonic forces of Szuriel repeatedly and forcing a sizeable tribute to be paid to Alyushinyrra.
He is very dangerous in battle, his Falchion is insanely accurate, and he moves quicker then someone wearing that much armor has any right to do. I believe he and the Lilitu Minagho of Raliscrad harbor mutual grudges against each other. He dislikes crusaders because they sought to burn him on a pyre, I dont quite buy the forsaken claims that they were innocent when they were sentenced to death, and only turned to Nocticula on the eve of their execution though, it may have been true for some of them, but well, going from freed prisoner to champion of Nocticula in under 6 years? As a mortal? I call shenanigians.
If he has a wand of silent image, the image changes
They recently got a new captain, a one eyed fighter from Galt. He fights with pistol and sword, and can fly on wings made of flame. Apparently he and the black father are each others "most favored consorts". He only appeared here 3 or so years ago, not much is known of him here, his name is Cydric de Bergerac though. Really cocky guy from reputation supposedly still a Callistrian inspite of being as good as married to a heartstealer, I never saw him so I cant help you with an image. He shrugs
You recall the Galtese name, a rival of your father, they had dueled each other 6 times, and the tally stood at 2 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses for either.
Officially the duels were about who is the most beautiful opera singer in Oppara, inofficially they were contests of quality between Taldor and Galt.
A duel can deal with a border dispute as well as a skirmish, and duels are clearly more civilized.
A mythic Succubus in Nocticulas employ. Had a different byname, "clemency of shadows" 2 centuries ago. Was associated with liberation, seduction, abduction and willing conversion.
There are several seperatist sects of Nocticula who revere here as a demonlord of liberation. Typical liberation of a sexual kind, but also from imprisonment. She is occassionally called to assist such groups.
She offered assistance in escaping infernal bargains, as a result she was eventually captured and imprisoned in Cania, and been the subject of Doloras personal attention.
It is unusual for a Succubus of her power to be as easily researched as she is, implying that this ease is intentional, perhaps as a lure?
She escaped Cania in the great prison break, an event that happened at the same time as the opening of the worldwound and Arodens disappearance. Some rumors even state she caused it, according to other rumors, she cooperated with angels in escaping, without backstabbing on her part. She was in essence made a noble by Nocticula for this deed.
Doloras fury at her escape was great. Any infernal contract penned in Doloras name contains a clause that the signee is free of any obligations to hell if he delivers Belana to Cania, alive and in chains, for Dolaras perusal.
An incredibly skilled warleader and a specialist in night fighting. His tribe and people fought well and ably. Sentenced to death for consorting with demons at the beginning of the third crusade. Did not confess to his sins, even under severe torture. Simply disappeared, together with 24 companions who did not confess either, from the pyres as they were about to be lit.
Sighting of the forsaken happen, but they rarely attack crusaders.
Originally Ragnar Grundhuld-Gundrun, he now is known as Ragnar Skuggason, the later originally being a surname meants for bastards, meaning "Son of Shadow". His people conduct adoptions, causing them to take the same surename for themselfs, or "Skuggadottir" in case of a female. The aim is likely to reduce clan differences in traditionally tribal culture.
He maintains his innocence at the time he was sentenced, quite insistently.
There has been a picture of Nocticula in her full glory, that has been propagated by various cults. Inquisitorial analysis revealed that one of the identifiable names, written in Abyssal runes on her wings, read "Ragnar Skuggason". Her wings bearing a worshippers name is clearly a sign of consierable favor.
Galtese champion, gunslinger, duelist and spy. A captain in the black daggers, until recently one of Galts 3 most dangerous black ops units.
Still a household name in some quarters, disappeared 6 years ago, whereabout unknown.
The black daggers have been purged by the grey gardeners 3 years ago.
2 years ago, the final blade at which they were executed was stolen and replaced with a fake.
He is occassionally known as "Our Ladies insult" by Nocticulans. He is mortal but has a knack for killing or injuring demons, typically in an insulting manner, who should be far beyond his power, which, for a Nocticulan demon, is highly amusing. That he claims to worship Callistria makes this, in the eyes of Nocticulan demons, plausibly deniable and thus even funnier.
Socothbenoth wants him dead and regards him as a runaway prisoner. It is said that the Silken Sin took one of Cydrics eyes in combat.
Cydric de Bergerac was imprisoned in the Cathedral Thelemnic, and Belana rescued him, likely risking her own existence as an avowed Nocticulan. He has been her champion ever since.
You can take this knowledge checks now, and also retake them in Drezen later when you have a library at your disposal. All checks concerning Cydric at 5 easier for Guillaume. All checks concerning Ragnar are 5 easier for Ellena, although... Paladin skill points vs a Nocticulan who is guarding his secrets, easier assists at least.
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"I've heard of this 'Belana,'" Anarya tells her companions. "A uniquely powerful succubus in the service of Nocticula, formerly known as 'Clemency of Shadows' a couple centuries ago. She seems to favor Nocticulan cults who see the Lady of Shadows as a demon of liberation, and even has been known to assist in escaping infernal pacts - until she ran afoul of the fallen angel Doloras and was imprisoned in the Hellish region of Cania."
"Can't say I'm familiar with either of the others he mentioned, however."
”Ive heard some mention of this Ragnar of the Forsaken before. He and his tribe were bad news. He was quite fond of leading them on night attacks, to catch others by surprise, I’d guess. Around the start of the third crusade, he was sentenced to death for consorting with some awful sorts of demons. Hey tried to break him, but Ragnar didn’t break under torture. He and two dozen other of his tribe simply vanished as the pyres were about to be lit. Very spooky all the way around. It’s rumored the Forsaken are still around, but they don’t attack crusaders much if at all…”
Ragnar beat demons at night fighting, had his people learn Abyssal, identified the seams between different demon armies and generally struck there. Repeatedly managed to cause infighting between demon hosts. Askold adds
Seriously, they way he and his units fought against the demons, while he was part of the second crusade, was almost textbook Nocticulan in terms of military arts, informational superiority, mobility, always hit the weakpoints, always reinforce success. I guess its also Callistrian doctrine, although notably less vengefull, almost impossible to provoke them. He continues.
Chatting along, your caravan moves towards Drezen, although the Kellids increasingly buy that they are not moving towards their executions.
The weather suddenly worsens, and a storm threatens to engulf you.
The worldwound being the worldwound, it is infused with the demonic energies of the Abyss.
Do you hear that song coming from it? I hear a song and its calling! Dyre announcing
Maelström av längtan
Kellid--Maelstrom of longing Askold interject
Yes, the singing is a trap and lure because of course, the close you get to the center, the more it strips away at your soul, your equipment, your free will. If you reach the center and defeat whats there, rumor is that you get shifted to the Abyss. It is supposedly linked to the Midnight isles, because 2 groups I know of who got into the middle and managed to return to Golarion both said that they were in the midnight isles, but that could also be because the midnight isles are one if not the most survivable abyssal realm. Askold interjects
You could probably make it, but your paladins likely wont, we, bound, also wont and the children or civilians? No way in hell. I am not giving you orders, but we need to take shelter. It is almost too convenient that we can evade it by moving into these canyons there. So convenient that I am expecting an ambush of the Forsaken. If the maelstrom is linked to Nocticula, perhaps the Forsaken can use rituals to control it.
I recommend plugging your ears or at least having the civilians plug theirs, which of course makes it harder to scout or perceive an ambush.
He intensely dislikes being led along by the enemy he is perceiving
Jävla Skuggason och hans skitsnack om kontaktlös krigföring
..Kellid F#**ing Skuggason and his non contact warfare b$#~#@!@
He curses
This is Gal singing
You hear 2 words, but then they are interrupted with a luring enchanting song, the music blacking out communication attempts. You think this was a sending spell, which got garbled by something. As you hear it, you sense the same song coming from the maelstrom.
Current time.
your success has resulted in some degree of increased funding for your mercenaries, as well as to a tacit truce between Galt and Taldor, until, 2 years later, another coup in Galt happens, resulting in the grey gardeners purge the black daggers, only for another coup to happen in another year. But the troubles of galt are not a priority.
With sizesable reinforcements and letters of recommendation, the attack on Kenabres has your troop march northwards towards Mendev and Numeria, arriving in Nerosyan roughly at the time the other rest of the group is right now.
You are immidiatly called to an "audience" with queen Galfrey. which is unusual.
You can see the queen, a clearly wizardry advisor and a cleric standing over what seems to be a scrying circle.
The forsaken are on the move. THe cleric says
And they are having us know because they are lugging a banner of Korada around. Do they intend to parley? The wizard interjects
Lady Rastaban? Galfrey looks up at you
we have received some information that you have been among the last ones to see one Cydric de Bergerac before he disappeared and later reappeared as a Forsaken leader. Is this him? Galfrey asks as her arch wizard conjures a silent image
The last time you saw him the scars were a bit different, and he had 2 eyes, rather then 1, but that smug grin you would recognice anywhere. It absolutely is him.
I cannot get any sendings through to our expedition. Something in the vicinity is blocking communication into the area, by overlaying it with some type of demonic song. The cleric adds.
My animal companion found the Forsaken your grace. I am using its scrying sensor, Interesting, seems like a fortification not an ambush The archmage says as he controls the scrying pool. You see a position inside of a canyon, protected by ditches, obstacles, and lines of a strange wiring and occupying a slight elevation.
Thats Skuggason himself and de Bergerac Galfrey points out a large, powerfully build man in black heavy armor, and yes, thats de Bergerac as well.
Do we see the black feather? THe cleric looks at the pool
Suddenly the view shifts, and instead of a birds eyes view of the Forsaken position, you see admiddetly very shapely torso of a female, covered in a dress made of black silk
Arent you an interesting invsible raven with a scyring sensor? a Feminine voice coos out
Yes, I am your best friend Sir Raven what your name? It continues
Percival! You have some very pretty black feathers! Almost as pretty as mine! You hear the raven enthusiastically cawing
I took them from some very rude person Percival, you feathers are pretty nice, but you are very polite so of course they are yours! Now, who do you work for? It keeps speaking, apparently having charmed the animal familiar
Sir Octavius of Mendev! The raven croacks
Oh, Sir Octavius! I will send you a bill for being cheeky, peeking on me without permission? Are you finally getting interested in romantic encounter?
You can even be reunited with your raven, who cant fly back to you because there is a maelstrom coming and flying is a bad idea, unless you are me of course. Sending remote hugs! THe charming feminine voice continues, as you can see an elegant hand, likely caressing the raven familar
The connection is then cut.
Oh no, Percival! The archmage says distraught
If our heroes walk into an ambush, we lose more then your familiar. Do you believe you can parley with the Forsaken in an effective manner based on your shared history with de Bergerac? His word is supposedly still good, even if he is working with the Nocticulans. Galfrey asks you.
Sense motive
Ellena could tell the blood rager hated being led along by the dog Aladdin and her friends, which made sense.
She heard the beginning of the missive in her mind, but it was blocked almost immediately. ”Everyone, cover your ears and follow me. We’ve got to avoid that thing. The canyons may be a trap, but that seems to be our only option”
The paladin uses Radiance to free Dyre. ”If there’s a fight ahead, I’m trusting you to help us beat it down. If you double cross me, I’ll be forced to leave you laying here,” she says matter of factly, as she begins leading everyone to the canyons.
Nona agrees to try to negotiate with Cydric. "He aided me in shutting down an attempt to open a new rift in Galt. But he had skin in that game. Not sure how things will go in this new situation. But I can try to keep things friendly."
@Ellena
”Askold, assuming the forsaken are setting a trap, are you willing to help us defeat them?”